New Greek Taverna in Houston, Texas, Inspired by ‘Helen of Troy’

The new “Helen Greek Food & Wine” restaurant which recently opened its doors to food enthusiasts in the Rice Village area in Houston, Texas, has already been proclaimed the victor of the local culinary battlefield.

Anyone interested in experiencing a bold and unusual Greek food and wine adventure should be sure to plan ahead with reservations — this authentic project contains all the essential elements of a relaxed traditional Greek taverna, always drawing in a hungry crowd.

Photo courtesy of Helen Greek Food And Wine

The restaurant’s executive chef William Wright has created an interesting menu in a restaurant
that pays homage to ancient Greek mythology, and Helen of Troy — wife of King Menelaus — who was swept away by Paris, Prince of Troy, instigating the Trojan War.

The menu includes tasty Greek regional dishes, updated with a Gulf Coast twist. You can start with “Spanakopita Hand Pies” or “Collard Green Dolmades” as an appetizer and continue with “Hand Packed Gyro” or “Chicken Souvlaki” with a “Trojan Horse” cocktail in your hand. The biggest surprise of the menu is no other than a “Greek doughnut” dessert.

Helen Restaurant offers the second-largest Greek wine list in the U.S. (behind Molyvos in New York), so if you happen to feel a little bit overwhelmed during your visit, award-winning Houston sommelier Evan Turner will be there for you to share his passion with you.

“There’s a Greek word – filotimo. It’s that feeling you get from doing good and taking care of your neighbors. That’s us,” Helen’s team states on the restaurant’s official webpage in an effort to explain its main motivation.

“All of us at Helen love Greek food and wine. We love sharing that passion with you. We were drawn together over our excitement for these flavors, these recipes, these stories, and creating a space that was as welcoming as Yia-Yia’s house,” they share.

They continue revealing their ambition for the future: “There’s another Greek word ‘parea,’ which means the company of good friends, of building a community through good times. That’s you. And together, we make Helen.”